The Brief

The United States' hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2026 provides a new opportunity for soccer to grow in popularity in a country that has cultivated mass fandom in sports like American football, basketball and baseball.

The 1994 World Cup helped establish professional soccer in the U.S. by leading to the creation of Major League Soccer (MLS).

Fans now have unprecedented access to international leagues like the English Premier League, La Liga and competitions like the UEFA Champions League through streaming services, which has helped bring overseas teams to American living rooms with ease.

The growth of Major League Soccer has created a stronger grassroots foundation for the sport in the United States, with 30 teams spread across the US and Canada to support.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.

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